Robert Amsterdam accused the Armenian authorities of persecuting the Church according to the “Ukrainian scenario”

International lawyer Robert Amsterdam issued a strongly worded statement accusing the Armenian leadership of attempting to subordinate the Armenian Apostolic Church to state institutions. According to the human rights advocate, the republic’s authorities’ current actions resemble the “Ukrainian scenario” and violate international norms regarding religious freedom and human rights. This was reported by Alpha News.

The lawyer emphasized that the authorities are attempting to transform the Church into an instrument of the state apparatus, which is causing serious concern within the international community. In this regard, he appealed to the leaders of Western countries, including Washington and Brussels, calling on them to assess the unfolding events and the persecution of Catholicos of All Armenians Garegin II.

Tensions surrounding the Church reached their peak on August 7, 2026, when the first court hearing in the case against the Catholicos and six members of the Supreme Spiritual Council took place in Etchmiadzin. The legal proceedings were initiated following Catholicos Garegin II’s decision to defrock Bishop Gevork Saroyan, who had publicly sided with the government in the ongoing conflict. During the hearing, Judge Hakob Manukyan recused himself, after which the case was transferred to another judge. The Church leadership now faces a real threat of criminal prosecution.